Robert H. "Bob" Caplan M.D.

Dr. Robert H. Caplan died on March 28, 2023 at his home. He was born in Chicago, IL on February 24, 1936 to Louis and Harriet (Novak) Caplan. He was raised in Cicero, IL. After graduating from Morton High School, he attended Purdue University where he was named an Arbuckle Scholar for achieving a perfect grade point average. Dr. Caplan was also inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Epsilon Delta honor societies. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree, he was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. After receiving his M.D. degree, he interned at Highland Alameda County hospital in Oakland, CA and completed a three year residency in Internal Medicine at  the University of Colorado.

In his final year of residency, he met Yvonne Wagner, a nurse at the Denver VA hospital. They married on June 26, 1965. After the wedding, Robert had a “Berry Plan” commitment to the U.S. Army and was a Captain in the Army Medical Corp assigned to the 121 ^st Evacuation Hospital in South Korea. Yvonne joined him in Korea, and together they made acquaintances who became lifelong friends, meeting often for reunions and becoming Godparents for each other’s children.

After Korea, he was assigned to Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver, where Dr. Edwin Overholt was his commanding officer. Dr. Overholt retired from the army in 1968 and became the Director of Education and Research at the Gundersen Clinic. He was instrumental in contacting Bob to join Gundersen in 1969.

After discharge from the army, Bob returned to the University of Chicago where he was an instructor in the department of Internal Medicine, and completed a two year fellowship in Endocrinology and Metabolism. By that time the residency program in Internal Medicine was rapidly expanding at Gundersen, and Bob was offered to establish the Department of Endocrinology. He served as the Chief of the department for 30 years and retired in 2014 after a total of 45 years of service.

Dr. Caplan was considered an excellent clinician, and introduced state of the art programs for the management of diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, and other glandular disorders. He also served for many years on the Education and Research committees and was the staff representative to the medical library.

Dr. Caplan was an enthusiastic and effective teacher of not only medical trainees, but paramedical students and patients as well. He received the Teacher of the Year award, and was invited to join the adjunct medical faculties of the Universities of Iowa and Wisconsin. He rose to the rank of Associate Professor at both institutions. He was elected to fellowship in the American College of Physicians, and they American College of Endocrinology. He was also active in research. During his career, he wrote ninety published medical papers, and gave hundreds of lectures regarding endocrine subjects.

Bob played the clarinet and saxophone as a teenager and young adult in both symphonic and jazz groups. He worked his way through Purdue playing in a dance band, he played in the West Lafayette, Indiana Symphony, and toured Europe with the Purdue Variety Band. Although he stopped playing his instruments after starting his medical career, he remained active in the La Crosse Music Study Club and enjoyed classical and jazz music. He also enjoyed cooking and was an enthusiastic poker player in La Crosse and Las Vegas.

Bob was blessed with the love and devotion of his wife, Yvonne. They were married 57 years.

Robert is survived by his wife, Yvonne; son, David (Sherry) of Mankato, MN; and his brother, Louis J. Caplan of Hays, KS.

Robert’s daughter, Dawn, predeceased him on March 12, 2023, from a heart attack; and also his sister-in-law, Harriet Caplan.

A private burial was held at Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse. Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the Gundersen Medical Foundation, 1900 South Avenue, La Crosse, WI 54601.